Gun-Toting Garden Gnomes Go on the Offensive

Of all lawn decorations, garden gnomes get the least amount of respect and are frequently vandalized or stolen. But these gnomes, which are arranged in a variety of combat poses, will probably make mischief-makers think twice.

Using plastic Army soldiers he played with as a child for inspiration, Shawn Thorsson, a US Navy reservist from Petaluma, CA, has created a series of warring gnomes toting M-16s, pistols and -- our personal fave -- rocket launchers.

"Aside from the fact that they've got grenades and rocket launchers, they are just like any other garden gnome," Thorsson said. "Little red hats and little white beards, the whole show."

Thorsson has sold about 1,500 of the gnomes through Etsy so far at $50, and he has plans for paratrooper and SEAL Team 6 gnomes next. Clearly, would-be thieves are better off going after defenseless lawn jockeys instead. Get a closer look at some battlin' gnomes below and be sure to check out Thorsson's Etsy store to snag one of your own.